Friday, March 12, 2010

Adam Terry signed!

A few things Colts fans should know about Adam Terry:

He signed a one-year deal, so he’s unlikely viewed as a long-term answer. Still, if he looks awesome, he could be signed to a long-term deal.

In his five years in the NFL, injuries have limited him to 48 of 80 possible regular-season games. He has started 11 games, mostly at left tackle and a few at right tackle. He has allowed nine sacks and been flagged for nine penalties (eight false starts and one hold).

He looked much more effective and comfortable at left tackle than right.

Despite his incredible height, he has short arms. But it hasn’t seemed to hamper him.

Despite his incredible size, his strength and toughness are more often questioned than his balance, footwork or technique.

He’s from a nice little town in the Adirondacks.

Although he has played tight end in short-yardage sets, he has not played a single down at guard in the NFL.

He is considered a better pass blocker than run blocker, and I’d agree.

He won Syracuse’s Ben Schwartzwalder Exemplary Football Player Award as a junior in 2004. And he also has a degree in history.

He’s a former DT.

He’s considered a good guy in the locker room and the community.

Ran a 5.32 at the Combine, but is a quick starter.

The first time I really noticed him in the NFL was in 2006 when star left tackle Jon Odgen went down after one series against the Steelers, and Terry stepped in. Terry totally neutralized Joey Porter who was Pittsburgh’s pass-rushing star at the time. I made a mental note.

In summary: Terry’s a left tackle who can play on the right side, but any projection of him at guard is just that, a projection (and who ever heard of a 6’8 guard?). If he stays in one piece, he could actually start at left tackle – really, he is that good a pass blocker – allowing Charlie Johnson to move inside and the Colts to groom a rookie to take over in 2011. Just as likely a scenario, though, is that he was signed to be a swing backup and third tight end – just like Dan Federkeil last season – perhaps giving the Colts enough depth to cut ties with Tony Ugoh.